World Cup Golden Glove Odds & Betting Tips

Ederson (Brazil)

First up we have Manchester City’s key shot shopper and master of distribution, Ederson. This man has been a key part of Manchester City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola since 2017. He is famed as much for being calm on the ball and technically gifted with his feet as he is for making actual saves.

The only issue that Ederson faces is stiff competition for a starting place in the form of Liverpool’s Alisson. Naturally, you might find that this has an impact on his World Cup Golden Glove betting odds.

Thibaut Courtois (Belgium)

If you are looking for a keeper that has an astounding ratio of saves versus shots faced in a knockout competition, this is your man. Courtois’ goal was battered consistently throughout Real Madrid’s unlikely Champions League triumph last season. Still, his side overcame the likes of PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester City to lift the trophy.

In the process, Courtois prevented 5.1 more goals than expected throughout the tournament. World Cup Golden Glove odds aren’t completely stats-driven, but that’s a figure that cannot be ignored. Oh, and he also won the Golden Glove at the last World Cup, so there’s that…

Alisson Becker (Brazil)

Yes, Brazil are lucky enough to be taking two of the top five goalkeepers to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. If we look at outright shot stopping stats, then Alisson surpasses Ederson. However, there is an argument to be had that Ederson is better with the ball at his feet.

Alisson has been the favoured starter for Brazil in the past, but Liverpool’s shaky start to the season could see that change. Even if he finds himself on the bench at first though, you can bet that Alisson’s Golden Glove odds for the 2022 World Cup will still be short.

Yann Sommer (Switzerland)

Given the fact that he represents Switzerland internationally and plays his club football for Borussia Mönchengladbach, Yann Sommer might seem like an unfashionable choice. However, this means that he faces more shots on average than any other goalkeeper on this list.

Near the start of the 2022/23 season, he made a record-breaking 19 saves in a single game against Bayern Munich. Although the Swiss aren’t tipped to go deep into the tournament, Sommer is capable of producing a heroic performance against one of the so-called bigger nations. In Euro 2020, he saved Kylian Mbappe’s penalty to defeat France in the round of 16.

Hugo Lloris (France)

Just scraping into our list is the Spurs captain and 2018 World Cup winner, Hugo Lloris. His stats might have dropped lately, but even a below-par Hugo Lloris still ranks well above your average goalkeeper.

You also can’t ignore the sheer quality of the team in front of him. France are second favourites to win the tournament, which has had a knock-on effect regarding Lloris’ World Cup Golden Glove betting odds.

Back a European Goalkeeper

The Golden Glove award in its current guise began in 1994, and every single winner since has been European. History suggests that when it comes to World Cup Golden Glove betting, backing one of the top European keepers isn’t a bad strategy at all.

Look at the Tournament Favourites

Five out of the last seven World Cup Golden Glove winners have played for the team that lifted the trophy. As a result, logic dictates that the first-choice goalkeepers for the favourites will also rank highly when it comes to the Golden Glove betting odds for the 2022 World Cup.

Fun fact: the only two non-champion Golden Glove winners since 1994 have been Belgians – Thibaut Courtois in 2018 and Michel Preud’homme in 1994.

Consider Club Performances

All international football players are selected because of their performances at club level. Although it’s not always the case, goalkeepers tend to carry their club form into international tournaments. For example, in 2014 Manuel Neuer won the Bundesliga Golden Glove in the same season that he went on to lift the award at the World Cup.

Study the Stats

As we’ve said before, when it comes to World Cup 2022 Golden Glove odds, the stats aren’t everything. Ultimately, it is the FIFA Technical Study Group that decides the winner based on overall performances. However, in 2006, 2010 and 2014, the Golden Glove winner also produced the most clean sheets, so the stats do play a crucial part in the overall decision.

Look at the Feet

In the modern game, being a good shot stopper simply isn’t enough for a goalkeeper to be considered truly world class. Especially when playing for possession-based teams, goalkeepers play a key role in build-up play and ball distribution – with Brazil’s Ederson being a prime example.

This is something that is definitely taken into account by the decision makers in the FIFA Technical Study Group.